Visit the kingdom

​"Sir Dietrich," you begin, "Your counsel is as wise as it is uncomfortable. The line must hold. However, a king who knows only the walls of his palace is no king."

​Dietrich bows his head, but you can still see the confusion. "Sire?"

"I intend to conduct a royal tour of every province, every border outpost, and every garrison. I will assess the security of this realm with my own eyes."

Dietrich’s jaw drops, his composure finally fracturing. "Sire, with all respect, that is madness! The people need to see their King on the throne, not disappearing into the countryside. It is dangerous."

​"Which is why," you counter calmly, "I am leaving the administration of the capital in the most capable hands in the land. Yours. "

"My Lord," Dietrich protests, stepping into your path. "If you must go, let us announce a Royal Progress... "

​"No," you cut him off, a small, knowing smile playing on your lips. "A Royal Progress is a parade. I will see only what the lords want me to see. Instead I will go with a small retinue, or perhaps none at all."

​"But the timing..." he sputters. "The court expects... "

​"The timing is exactly why this must happen now. The world thinks I am occupied with mourning and finding a wife. No one will expect the King to be counting palisades in the mud of the frontier."

Sir Dietrich realize that you have made up your mind. "Very well. Tell me and I will prepare all that you need."